As calls for Malawians to start producing products that can compete on the international market continue, local female entrepreneur, medical doctor and researcher, Lizzie Msowoya Kumtambila has accepted the challenge by launching a company that specialises in manufacturing or value addition of coffee.
Kumtambila, a holder of a bachelor’s degree in surgery from the Kamuzu University of Health sciences (KUHES) is the founder and managing director of a company called Viphya Highlands Coffee.
Viphya Highlands Coffee is based in Usingini, Nkhata Bay district where the company owns acres of land where coffee is grown.
She has told ProjectM in an interview that her family has been growing coffee for a long time, most of which has being sold to other companies without processing it.
“And then 3 years ago, I decided to change that narrative by opening my own processing plant in Usingini where we are now processing and packaging our product,” Kumtambila said.
In February 2024, the company started producing the product on an industrial scale after noticing a good response on the market.
“When we were beginning production on a trial basis 3 years ago, we had doubts which prompted us to produce fewer products,” said Kumtambila.
Viphya Highlands Coffee has now turned into a thriving product, attracting interest from Europe where it selling like hot cake.
“Our coffee is of a very good quality because we don’t compromise on quality starting from the field, processing and packaging. That’s why it is warmly being welcomed on the market,” she added.
Through her company, Kumtambila has since managed to employ 33 full time employees with an additional 90 part-time or seasonal employees.
Her vision is to see Viphya Highlands Coffee become a dominant coffee product on both local and international markets.
In Malawi, the product is being sold in various chain stores, including Chipiku stores, Ekhaya and Food Lovers.
Trade and Industry spokesperson Patrick Botha has since commended Kumtambila for venturing into a business he said has potential to boost the country’s foreign currency reserves.
Spiwe Kondowe, a customer based in Area 47, Lilongwe has described Viphya Highlands Coffee as a good product.
